There are many of us who have been writing for a while, long before Julie and Julia, long before Pinterest... gasp...even before Facebook. Some bloggers start with an enthusiasm that quickly wains, some blog for their friends and family, some blog for the sheer enjoyment, and some have achieved varying degrees of success. But how do you as a blogger measure success? Is it finally securing that cookbook deal? Is it those articles in high profile magazines? Is it thousands of followers? These are all perks of the food blogging community but not what we are about. I measure the success of a blogger by the number of lives they have touched, the awareness they have raised for pertinent issues, their ability to grab my attention with little effort. I by no means put myself in these categories but we have all been touched by someone out there in the blogosphere that we have connected with. Yes we are food bloggers but we are not only passionate about food. One of the biggest perks is the connection that we have with each other in more ways than one.Over the past month I am sure that many have heard our very own Barbara Harris of Winos and Foodies lost her battle to cancer. I was never lucky enough to travel to Australia and meet her in person, nor can I say that we connected on-line and became kindred spirits. And yet she is someone I would have liked to get to know because those who knew her say she was a courageous and loving soul. Even though she was faced with heart-wrenching adversity she still had time to encourage all those who crossed her path.

For a number of years, she ran the Taste of Yellow event to coincide with Lance Armstrong’s LIVEstrong day, where bloggers from around the world would make a yellow dish to raise awareness for cancer. Through her blog we know she was kind, funny, incredibly brave and inspirational in every way. These are Jeanne's words, not mine.

So today, as I have done over the years, I have joined a growing throng of bloggers who want to pay tribute to this courageous woman by creating a yellow dish in her honour. Today, July 16th, would have been her birthday. With her wit and her compassion Barbara touched many lives, offered encouragement and wrapped herself around our hearts.

Today as I passed a garden filled with the bright yellow faces of summer sunflowers I thought of you Barbara. Their cheerful faces reached for the heavens. Your memory is entwined with our lives and you will be sadly missed. To use Meeta's words, *There is a new star in the sky. May you shine brighter than all of them."

The association of yellow with cancer support stems from the yellow armbands distributed so widely by the Livestrong Foundation,and here in Canada by the Spring Daffodil Campaign from the Canadian Cancer Society just two of many cancer charities you might want to make a donation to in Barbara’s honour. I am taking my cue from Jeanne and listing some of them here.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.

31 comments:

Love your comment about measuring blogging success through lives that are touched. It's easy to get swept up in the Facebook Likes, and Pinterest Pins, and Twitter Tweets, but I think you're absolutely right, making connections and the relationships that come out of that are really what it's all about.

July 16th is my sister's birthday. Barbara had a Thermomix, and I have one. That is how we "knew" one another... more then - than now... and it is wonderful to see so many participate in this tribute. Cyber relationships are real.XOValerie

What a lovely dish to honor Barbara with. I did not know her blog but now wish I did. I also agree with your measurement of blog success. I have become friends with several bloggers and that is why I blog. All those lovely connections. And generosity - which is why I come here. There's "a sharing" going on.

Even I don't consider the popularity of blog by comments or followers if you have not touched the people you are writing for. I have stopped following blogs on google friend connect but that doesn't mean I don't want connections. But anyway that's another story.I didn't know Barbara's blog,I wish I had but her cause for the event was appreciable and I salute her for that.Its so nice of you to post this recipe in her tribute.

Val, I am sorry that I missed this event for tribute to one of our fellow friends and food bloggers. I was post surgery in recovery and would have loved to pay respect to her as well. But anyhow, knowing that corn is one of the staff of life, you selected the most perfect food to prepare for her honor -- her life! I truly agree that it is the simple, wonderful community that means the most to me throughout my entire blogging experience!

What a beautiful tribute to Barbara - she touched so many lives without ever meeting many of us in person. And what a wonderful dish! I love how you thought of Barbara when you saw the sunflowers... Thanks so much for taking part in this special Monthly Mingle.

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My blog More Than Burnt Toast has been my passion for almost 12 years and has evolved with me over time as I have gained confidence in the kitchen. Follow my travels through Italy and Greece one recipe at a time, upcoming cooking classes at local Okanagan wineries and restaurants, as well as daily experimentation in my own kitchen. Every day we should be excited about what we are eating even if it just means making use of a wonderful find at our local farmers market. I look forward to getting to know you.